Visions of the Future: Sci-fi History Starter Pack

Over the past year or so, I’ve learned quite a bit about science fiction that I never knew before. Now, I can’t by any means claim to be an expert on the subject, but I have discovered a few fun things that I want to share. If you’ll remember, back in April, I made a “starter pack” of Star Trek episodes I thought would best introduce someone to the series. I’m going to do the same thing here, this time with some books, television episodes, and movies I’ve enjoyed watching, and think are a good introduction to science fiction history.

Novels of the 1800s-

1. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (1818)-

Sometimes the classics are the hardest to get into. You hear about them all the time, but where do you start? Well, when it comes to science fiction, I suggest you start at the beginning, with Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. While the melodramatic ‘protagonist’, Dr. Victor Frankenstein, can be a bit long winded, his depth of insight, as well as the testimony of his creation, lay the groundwork for how sci-fi would explore the human condition.

2. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne (1870)-

Yes, there are a lot of descriptions of fish, but if you can accept that, you will be able to enjoy an entertaining precursor to space exploration stories such as Star Trek. The three main protagonists, as well as Captain Nemo are all very compelling. The interactions between Professor Aronnax, Ned Land, and Conseil even remind me of Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, and Dr. McCoy a bit. If you are a sci-fi connoisseur or a hardcore Trekkie, this is a must-read.

3. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson (1886)-

Robert Louis Stevenson takes Shelley’s mad scientist and destructive creature and synthesizes them into the same person. This is one of those classics of literature where the title gets referenced and the plot gets recycled just about everywhere. It’s a quick read, too. I finished it in about one afternoon when I was reading it for a class.

4. The Time Machine by H.G. Wells (1895)-

Wells gets two spots on this list because he introduced so many of the classic sci-fi subgenres to the mainstream reading audience. While time travel had been played with before by the likes of Mark Twain, H.G. Wells was the first one to truly theorize about the methods of time travel- not just the results. Have you ever heard of time referred to as the fourth dimension? That’s because of The Time Machine. It’s also a pretty quick book to finish.

5. War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells (1897)-

When I started reading H.G. Wells and Jules Verne, I expected them to be a bit tedious, and was therefore amazed at how they kept me turning the pages. War of the Worlds is exciting. It’s terrifying. It’s compelling, and it is the quintessential alien invasion story.

Television Episodes-

Since the 1960s, one of the main ways sci-fi has reached the general public is through television. Shows like Star Trek and The Twilight Zone have made a lasting impact on our society. Here are ten sci-fi TV episodes that I think give a good overview of some of the best features of the genre.

1.  “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” The Twilight Zone (1963)-

A fan-favorite, and a classic example of The Twilight Zone twist, this episode combines all the drama of William Shatner’s acting with all the eerie suspense of the show’s brilliant writing.

2. “The Production and Decay of Strange Particles” The Outer Limits (1964)-

If you haven’t watched The Outer Limits, you should definitely start. It’s like The Twilight Zone, but with hard sci-fi plots and happy endings. This episode is a great example of the fusion of a highly scientific concept with characters you grow to care about.

3. “The Aztecs” Doctor Who (1964)-

One of the very earliest adventures of William Hartnell’s first Doctor, this episode contains all the best elements of time travel sci-fi: intercultural confusion, the struggle over whether or not to interfere, and historical drama.

4. “Mirror, Mirror” Star Trek (1967)-

This is probably the best example of an alternate universe television episode there is. Or, at least it is the most iconic. Sure, it’s melodramatic, but that’s the fun of Star Trek. This episode takes everything you know about the Star Trek universe, and twists it just enough to make it creepy, but not so much as to make it overly dark. Plus, Mirror Spock has a goatee.

5. “The Schizoid Man” The Prisoner (1967)-

If you’re ready for a wacky, mod, surrealist adventure through the eyes of a man fighting to keep his individuality in a colorful, shiny, dystopia, you’re ready for The Prisoner. This gem of British television deserves to be watched in its entirety, (it’s only 17 episodes), but if you only have time for one, consider “The Schizoid Man”.  In it, protagonist Number Six, must fight for his sanity as his captors in The Village try to convince him by all methods at their disposal that he is someone else.

6. “Darmok” Star Trek: The Next Generation (1991)-

This episode boldly goes where no Star Trek episode has gone before, by exploring the intricacies of inter-cultural communication. Captain Picard spends time with an alien whose language is beyond the scope of the universal translator, and must learn to communicate with him.

7. “Never Fear” The New Batman Adventures (1997)-

Batman seems like a pretty fearless character, but it takes a dose of the Scarecrow’s anti-fear gas to show what his boundaries really are, and what will happen when he crosses them. This is also a great sidekick episode, as Robin (Tim Drake) has to be the one to reign Batman in.

8.  “Window of Opportunity” Stargate: SG-1 (2000)-

This episode demonstrates beautifully the way that Stargate: SG-1 was able to blend science fiction with humor, and emotional depth. There are a lot of hilarious beats as the SGC is trapped inside a ten-hour time loop, and Colonel O’Neill and Teal’C are the only ones who remember. However, it’s not simply a goofy episode, as the writers also explore some deep and emotional themes of grief and letting go.

9. “A Better World” Justice League (2003)-

This episode borrows from the ideas of Mirror, Mirror, and other alternate universe stories, and adds superheroes. The result is a study in the corrupting nature of absolute power, and the significance of every life.

10. “Dinosaurs on a Spaceship” Doctor Who (2012)-

When you take The Doctor and his companions, Cleopatra, a big game hunter from the turn of the century, dinosaurs and a villainous trader and put them on a space ship together, what do you get? You get exactly the type of quirky, adventurous, sci-fi romp we’ve all come to expect from Doctor Who. That’s what you get.

Films-

1. Metropolis (1927)-

This visually stunning dystopian story from the silent film era is a classic for a reason. It pairs impressive special effects with ahead-of-its-time social commentary for a truly memorable

masterpiece of science fiction.

2. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)-

The aliens in this movie are horrifying in their invisibility. The paranoia and stress build throughout the movie to a cliff-hanger climax that has led to much speculation over the years as to the inspiration for the film.

3. Forbidden Planet (1956)-

This is the film that inspired Star Trek, Star Wars, and all the science fiction that came after them. If you’re a Trekkie or a Star Wars fan, you’re bound to recognize some element of the story or set that was pilfered for your favorite series. If you’re a sci-fi junkie, you’ll enjoy the Technicolor goodness, and the frightening revelations about the human condition.

4. Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)-

If you’ve never seen Star Wars before, I’m impressed. It’s best to start with the first one released. You’ll probably recognize the plot and characters from pop culture, but it’s exciting enough that you can still enjoy the ride after multiple viewings.

5. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)-

People who say that this is the best Star Trek movie ever are absolutely correct. It may seem dramatic to some, but it’s not supposed to be realistic. It’s supposed to be cinematic literature. Nicholas Meyer and Harve Bennett used all of the characters and actors from Gene Roddenberry’s groundbreaking 1960s show to their full potential in this one. Also, it’s my favorite movie ever, and I’m totally biased.

I’m still watching, reading, and listening, so I’m sure there are more things I’ll be able to add to this list in the future. Is there anything you would recommend to me? I’d love to hear about them. Let me know in the comments. I’m always game for good sci-fi!

Keep on glowing in the dark,

Elora

Top-5 Thursday: 1950s Sci-fi Movies

Some were ridiculous. Some were hokey. Some were over-the-top. And some were classics. The 1950s was the decade in which science fiction took over the cinema. Although the first science fiction film was technically released in 1902, it wasn’t until the 1950s that technology and public interest intersected so that science fiction could become a film genre as well as a literary genre. The films that came from the 50s pioneered and inspired concepts which continue to shape science fiction to this day.

Here are 5 of the classics that revolutionized the genre and the industry.

5. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)-

In the 1950s, Walt Disney decided to make his first foray into live action film, with an adaptation of Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. The studio spared no expense to make the film as visually stunning as possible, and it ended up being one of the most expensive films made up to that date. However, Disney more than made up for their lavish costs, as the colorful, steampunk adventure was an incredible success. It holds the distinction not only of being the first live-action Disney film, but also of being the first science fiction movie filmed with CinemaScope technology.

4. Forbidden Planet (1956)-

If you are a fan of Star Trek, or Star Wars, and you watch Forbidden Planet for the first time, it may seem a little familiar. That is because Forbidden Planet had a great impact on both Gene Roddenberry and George Lucas. (When I first watched the film, I felt like I was watching a prologue to Star Trek: The Original Series pilot, “The Cage”). Based off Shakespeare’s The Tempest, Forbidden Planet peeks into the depths of the human soul through the technicolor lense of science fiction film. Forbidden Planet is also the debut film for Robbie the Robot, an iconic machine who would go on to have a fascinating carreer of his own in television and movies.

3. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)-

Invasion of the Body Snatchers successfully encapsulated the fears of the American public at the time of its release. With communism on the outside and mccarthyism on the inside, it seemed to some individual identity was being suppressed at every turn. The special effects of Invasion of the Body Snatchers is minimal, but that only serves to make the aliens portrayed in the film all the more terrifying. Though it was not well-received by critics at first, it has since been hailed as an important landmark in science fiction, film, and cultural history.

2. The War of the Worlds (1953)-

It seems like it’s hard to go wrong with The War of The Worlds. First, H.G. Wells published it as the quintessential alien invasion story in 1898. Next, Orson Welles crafted it into the frighteningly realistic radio drama that had listeners watching the stars in 1938. Then, in 1953, director Byron Haskin adapted into the most popular science fiction film of the year. The special effects and sound effects of the film stand the test of time, and have made a definite impact on popular culture. Each adaptation of The War of the Worlds has appealed to the time and culture of its audience, and the 1953 version does so masterfully, seamlessly weaving nuclear themes into the premise of the story.

1. The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)-

The Day the Earth Stood still is a surprising film. It begins with the same basic plot as many alien invasion stories, where a flying saucer lands, and people panic. This time, however, the alien is not the threat- the humans are. Told in a thoughtful and sympathetic manner, this Cold War morality tale is perhaps one of the most unique films of the decade, and of the alien-invasion sub genre. Its well-deserved status as a classic has turned peaceful invader Klaatu, and his robot assistant Gort into icons referenced throughout science fiction and pop culture.

What movies would you have added to this list? What are your favorite 1950s science fiction films, and why? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!

Keep on glowing in the dark,

Elora

Visions of the Future: The 1950s- Atoms and Stars

Science was mankind’s savior and his destroyer. The world lived in reach of the stars and under the shadow of the atom. The related competitions between Communism and Capitalism- the Cold War and the Space Race- demonstrate the dichotomy of the role of science and technology in the 1950s.

The ‘50s kick off what is often known as the atom age- a time of great optimism about the future atomic power could bring about. However, the new advances in nuclear technology also led to the amassment of atomic weapons on the parts of the United States and the Soviet Union that had the potential to end the world many times over.

Another common term for the era heralded by the 1950s is the Space Age. The discoveries of the industrial revolution and two world wars put the exploration of the final frontier into the realm of possibility at last. However, the competition to be the first to touch the heavens escalated into another Soviet-American conflict- The Space Race.

The technological advances in the 1950s that sparked so much fear, hope, and competition included the tests of the first hydrogen bombs, the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA, the polio vaccine, intercontinental television, the foundation of CERN, and NASA, and the creation of the first nuclear power plants.

As it was a time saturated with science and speculation, it only makes sense that science fiction flourished during the 1950s.

Science Fiction:

Literature-

Rising science fiction superstar Isaac Asimov had been publishing stories about robots and artificial intelligence since the beginning of the 1940s. Finally, in 1950, nine of these short stories were compiled into I, Robot, which continues to be one of his most popular works to this day. In the second story, “Runaround”, Asimov introduces the Three Laws of Robotics, which serve as the code of conduct programmed into every robot in his universe. These laws have gained wide acceptance in the sci-fi community, and are still referenced in both science fiction and pop culture to this day.

Another iconic anthology was released in 1950, this time by Ray Bradbury- The Martian Chronicles. It tells in vividly beautiful language of the future history of Earth’s interaction with the planet Mars.

In 1953, the first Hugo Award was given to Alfred Bester for his novel The Demolished Man. It is a science fiction police detective drama which speculates as to the nature of criminal justice in a world where telepathy exists.

That same year, Ray Bradbury published what has become perhaps his most influential work, Farenheit 451, the tale of a dystopian world where books are banned, and “firemen” burn any books that are found.

Also in 1953, Arthur C. Clarke published Childhood’s End, in which a peaceable alien race takes over planet earth by creating an apparent utopia, which leads to the downfall of the human race.

Another in the new wave of 1950s dystopian novels was Time Out of Joint, published by Philip K. Dick. It was a bizarre work of sci-fi that questioned the very nature of reality.

In 1959, Daniel Keyes published his short story “Flowers for Algernon” in the April edition of The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. It concerned the moral and ethical issues of an experimental surgery on a mentally disabled man meant to increase his intelligence. Keyes went on to expand the story into a full-length novel in 1966.

Magazines-

The science fiction magazine industry boomed in the 1950s, with fifteen new magazines created in the year 1950 alone. One of these was Galaxy Science Fiction, and influential magazine which was considered to have an intellectual edge on all of its competitors.

Galaxy published the short story which Ray Bradbury later expanded into Farenheit 451, and the serialization of Alfred Bester’s The Demolished Man.

Film-

The 1950s are considered by many to be the Golden Age of Science Fiction Film, and not without reason. Though there were many science fiction B-movies released in this decade, some of the most influential sci-fi films ever came from the minds of 1950s film-makers.

Destination Moon, released in 1950, holds the distinction of being one of the earliest non-horror sci-fi movies. Breaking the mold of Frankenstein, and The Invisible Man, Destination Moon is the story of the possible troubles and triumphs of America’s first lunar landing.

The Day the Earth Stood Still, from 1951, is a surprising departure from ordinary alien invasion stories, and has much to say to the post-war society it was made for.

In 1953, another popular adaption of H.G. Well’s classic The War of the Worlds was produced by George Pal and directed by Byron Haskin.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers was released in 1956. It was a well-made and powerful commentary on the restriction of individuality, which was a deep-rooted fear in a society fighting against communism.

Japanese film, Godzilla, which is seen by many today as the beginning of a corny B-movie franchise, carried very different connotations for the Japanese audience of 1954. It was a creative and thoughtful response to the creation of the atomic bomb, which had been field tested on two of Japan’s cities at the end of the Second World War.

Forbidden Planet, released in 1956, was a beautiful, technicolor space adventure based on Shakespeare’s The Tempest. It was an inspiration for many science fiction creators to come, including Gene Roddenberry and George Lucas.

Television-

The 1950s were the era of science fiction television anthologies. One of the earliest iconic anthologies was Science Fiction Theatre. It began in 1955, and was hosted by Truman Bradley. Science Fiction Theatre was an inspiration for later television anthologies such as The Twilight Zone and The Outer Limits, and was even referenced in the Back to The Future franchise as Marty McFly’s father’s favorite television show.

The man of steel made his way onto the small screen in 1952 with the show Adventures of Superman. These weekly technicolor episodes starred George Reeves in the titular role of the quintessential American superhero.

Perhaps the best science fiction/fantasy/horror television show ever began airing in 1959. Hosted by its enigmatic creator Rod Serling, the Twilight Zone was a hard sell to studios, but a massive success. The weekly stories explored moral and metaphysical concepts in creative ways, and often ended in dark and surprising plot twists.

The Twilight Zone featured many actors who had already played, or would go on to play iconic roles in film and television, including Rod Taylor, William Shatner, Robert Redford, and George Takei. The concepts explored in The Twilight Zone have inspired and informed almost all of the science fiction that has been created since.

Keep on glowing in the dark,
Elora